Paul Gene Hampton

Paul Hampton of Paragould, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on July 12, 2017 at Greene Acres Nursing Home. He was 93 years old. He was born in Paragould, Arkansas on April 17, 1924. Paul was a member of First United Methodist Church.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Verdie Little Hampton; brothers Ralph and Clifford; sisters, Marie (Purvis) Noel, Mary (Dick) Brittingham, Cathryn (Dub) Pierceall. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Paul enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was sent to Europe. After discharge in 1945, he attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway.
In 1948 he reenlisted in the U. S. Army and attended Photography School in Queens, New York. Later that year he was assigned to a photo unit in Tokyo, Japan and documented the final months of War Crime Trials.
In 1950 he was deployed to Korea to document front line activity. During that deployment he was ambushed by North Koreans and injured. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
He also served with the U.S. Army in photographic and experimental duties in Alaska, Greenland and atomic bomb testing in Nevada.
In 1956 he was assigned to Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C. He was stationed in Augsburg, Germany in 1963, in charge of the 24th Infantry Division Photo Lab. He retired from service with the rank of Master Sergeant in 1965. At that time he became Director of the Audiovisual Department of the Institute of Surgical Research at Brooke Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where he retired from Civil Service in 1984.
Paul loved the military and loved nothing better than a captivating audience as he told of his travels and exploits during WWII and Korean.
He credited God with bringing him safely home and returned the favor by remaining active in his church
Doctors commented on his strong heart. More than that, anyone who knew him were also aware of his generosity. He would tell us often “You don’t sell item you no longer want, you give them to those in need.” And that is the way he lived his life.
He commented often during his last days—“Old soldiers never die they just fade away.”
The family would like to thank all those who shared their time and provided support, especially the faculty and residents of Chateau on the Ridge, Greene Acres Nursing Home, and a special Caregiver.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Linwood Cemetery with Rev. Pat Bodenhamer officiating. Burial with military honors will follow.
Memorials may be sent to Chateau on the Ridge or the Greene County Library.